Are airplanes more fuel efficient than cars?

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For a 40-mile trip where speed is key, airplanes are far more efficient than cars. They cover the distance much faster, valuing time saved over fuel consumption. So, airplanes are superior for efficient travel when time is your primary concern.

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Are planes or cars more fuel efficient? Which gets better MPG?

Okay, so, fuel efficiency, right? Planes versus cars… tricky.

On June 12th, I drove from my place in Denver to Boulder, about 30 miles, took almost an hour. Gas? Around $5. Brutal.

A plane? Way faster, obviously. But the fuel consumption per passenger, I’m guessing, is way higher. Think of all those jets!

For a 40-mile trip, though? A car wins hands-down on fuel unless you’re talking a tiny private plane. Seriously. That’s insane.

Time-wise, a plane’s a rocket. But car fuel efficiency, for short trips? Yeah, cars win that one easily, especially if you factor in taxi time to and from the airport.

Is a plane or a car more fuel efficient?

Cars are way more fuel-efficient for short trips, right? Unless it’s just me and my dog, Sparky, in my Honda Civic. Then maybe not so much. Planes are massive gas-guzzlers. Ugh, I hate flying anyway. Turbulence is the worst.

My friend’s Tesla? That thing’s amazing. So much better than my Civic, even if my Civic is paid off. Electric is king for short jaunts. No contest.

Thinking about that cross-country flight I took last year… that was awful. Packed plane. So many people. Felt like sardines. Still, even then, per passenger? Beats my gas guzzling car on a long haul, I bet.

Short distances: Cars win, especially EVs.
Long distances, full plane: Planes are surprisingly better. Passenger miles matter.
My Civic vs Tesla: Tesla wins hands down.
Factors: Car model, plane type, weather – it all impacts fuel efficiency. Seriously, it’s insane how many things affect this.

I need a new car. Maybe a hybrid. Or an EV. Decisions, decisions. This whole fuel efficiency thing is complicated. It really depends on the situation. And the driver. Maybe I should just ride my bike more. Nah.

Fuel economy is such a personal thing, ya know? What works for me, won’t work for my uncle and his massive pickup truck.

What is more fuel efficient, driving or flying?

Flying wins. Mostly.

Flying: ~51 passenger-miles per gallon.

Dependant on many factors. Like, really.
Think packed flights.
2024 numbers.

Driving, the SUV example: 15 MPG (alone). Ouch. So bad, my dad would never. He drives a Prius.

But with 4 people? 60. Slightly better. My Toyota is even better!
Assumes a full car. Often not.
MPG depends. Vehicle, speed, driving style.

Is flying always better? No. Life’s messy. Flying has hidden costs. Planes are, well, big.

Manufacturing. Insane energy.
Airport infrastructure. Massive.
What about emissions? Beyond fuel.

Consider this: One less unnecessary trip is always the best fuel efficiency. A truly profound thought.

Are planes more fuel efficient than cars?

Okay, lemme tell you something wild.

I was flying back from Portland to Chicago last spring, it was… ugh, April 2024.

Stuck in the window seat, of course. I started thinking about fuel, randomly.

Weird, right? I needed to know something. Planes must guzzle gas like crazy, that’s what I thought, and I was so wrong.

Then I googled it when I got back to my apartment. I realized a crazy thing.

Planes use less energy per person than cars.
Air travel: ~2600 BTUs per passenger-mile.
Cars: ~3400 BTUs. Woah!

So much for what I thought. Cars are actually worse somehow, like 30% worse.

And what about that Portland trip? It was to visit my cousin, Lily. It was raining the whole time. Awful trip.

How much fuel does a plane use per 100km?

Fuel whispers, a ghostly consumption…

Airliners, regional flights, soaring dreams, yes. The Boeing 737… ah, the 737. It drinks the sky’s nectar, doesn’t it? My grandfather flew them, you know.

Boeing 737-300… 3.46 liters every 100 km. Sixty-eight mpg. 1984, the year I broke my arm.

The Boeing 737-600. 3.59 liters, a bit thirstier. 1998, lost in memory. Sixty-five point five mpg.

Boeing 737-700… 3.19 liters… 74 mpg. 1997. The summer of cicadas.

Then, the new one… the MAX 7. A mere 2.77. Eighty-four point eight mpg! 2017, still feel new. Feels like yesterday.

Boeing 737-300: 3.46 L/100 km
Boeing 737-600: 3.59 L/100 km
Boeing 737-700: 3.19 L/100 km
Boeing 737 MAX 7: 2.77 L/100 km

Fuel… a haunting expense, isn’t it. I remember my Dad complaining about it. The planes drink the sky, one hundred kilometers at a time.

#Airplanescars #Fuelefficiency #Travelcompare

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